Harambee Pasadia 2017

This year, as well as performances by a multitude of artists including Sekou Keita, Black Voices, Hannabiell & Midnight Blue, Ahjah UK, Backyard Rhythm Orchestra, and Crossings Band, we are offering a whole host of engaging and interactive workshops to our visitors. From West African Drumming taught by djembe master, Sekou Keita and Salsa Dancing provided by Yersin Rivas two of the most sought after instructors in the UK to Kuduro, African American Step Dancing, Hip Hop dancing, Afro Groove, Yoga, Zumba, Capoeira and much more. There will also be a wellbeing area offering massage therapy, hair braiding and Reiki, with activities such as BMX, high ropes, canoeing, paddle boarding and wood carving also on offer. Some of our DJ’s include Volta 45, ZerodB, Hot Sauce, Tom Caulker, Lalya Gaye, and Adam Bhatti Powered by Common Unity Soundsystem. This year we have a new space called ‘speakers’ corner’ where we will host a series of conversation, presentation and life skills building activities based around social justice issues and unity.

Harambee Pasadia is a 4-day family camping extravaganza which hosts world-renowned performers of Afro-beat, Jazz, Reggae, Funk, Latin music and fusions of music found in the African diaspora. It is also an opportunity to divulge in fantastic African, Latin and Asian food, with a licensed bar available on site.

The festival is inclusive and family-friendly and all ages are invited to try out our activities – under 5s go FREE!

This Afro-fusion festival was founded and organised collectively by two Newcastle based musicians, Hannabiell Sanders and Yilis del Carmen Suriel, both are artists in their own right. Hannabiell is the composer and director for ‘Hannabiell & Midnight Blue’ and ‘Ladies of Midnight blue’ both ensembles perform regularly around the UK and abroad. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue fuse together afro-Caribbean and Latin percussion, jazz, afro-beat, funk and Reggae which creates a unique sound.

The festival aims to encourage unity and bring people from diverse backgrounds together, bridging the culture gap through performances, workshops and the shared experience of afro-fusion music and dance. Hannabiell, founder and performer, states that the “vision of the festival, is to create a community and network of artists, thinkers, activists, community leaders and volunteers that can come together, inspire one another and work together in a sustainable way.”

Hannabiell & Yilis would like to invite everyone to Harambee Pasadia, to spend 4 days celebrating the diversity of African cultures, food, music and people.